Rotary internal combustion engine

ABSTRACT

A rotary internal combustion engine including a substantially cylindrical casing closed by removable end plates and divided into a compressor portion and a power portion by a central partition with the partition and end plates journalling a shaft in eccentric relation to the center of the casing with the shaft supporting a pair of rotors thereon in concentric relation to the shaft and in eccentric relation to the two compartments formed by the partition. Each rotor includes a plurality of radial vanes guidingly and slidably received in slots in the rotor with the radial movement of the vanes being restrained by an annular ring journalled on bearing surfaces concentric with the casing to restrain the vanes from engaging the interior of the casing due to centrifugal forces exerted thereon during rotation of the rotor. The partition includes passageways admitting a combustible mixture into the compressor compartment, transfer of the compressed combustible mixture into the power compartment, a passageway receiving an igniting device for igniting the combustible mixture between adjacent vanes to apply torque to the rotor and shaft, and a passageway enabling exhaust of combustion products after expansion thereof.

United States Patent [1 1 Graves ROTARY INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE [76]Inventor: Paul D. Graves, c/o Chesterfield Yarn Mills Inc., P.O. Box127, Pageland, SC. 29728 [22] Filed: Jan. 14,1971

[21] Appl.No.: 106,354

[52] U.S.C1. ..l23/8.23, l23/8.41,418/146, 418/257, 418/261 [51] lnt.Cl..F02b 53/08 [58] FieldofSearch ..123/8.23,8.41; 418/257, 146, 261

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,114,674 4/1938 Buckbee..l23/8.4l 1,178,617 4/1916 Bateman ..418/257 2,075,561 3/1937Wellensiek.. ..123/8.4l 2,345,561 4/1944 Allen,Jr...... 418/146X 141,0007/1873 Gillespie ..418/257 3,098,451 7/1963 Scognamillo ..418/257Primary ExaminerWilliam E. Wayner AttorneyClarence A. OBrien and HarveyB. Jacobson MIXTURE [451 Apr. 10, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT A rotary internalcombustion engine including a substantially cylindrical casing closed byremovable end plates and divided into a compressor portion and a powerportion by a central partition with the partition and end platesjournalling a shaft in eccentric relation to the center of the casingwith the shaft supporting a pair of rotors thereon in concentricrelation to the shaft and in eccentric relation to the two compartmentsformed by the partition. Each rotor includes a plurality of radial vanesguidingly and slidably received in slots in the rotor with the radialmovement of the vanes being restrained by an annular ring journalled onbearing surfaces concentric with the casing to restrain the vanes fromengaging the interior of the casing due to centrifugal forces exertedthereon during rotation of the rotor. The partition includes passagewaysadmitting a combustible mixture into the compressor compartment,transfer of the compressed combustible mixture into the powercompartment, a passageway receiving an igniting device for igniting thecombustible mixture between adjacent vanes to apply torque to the rotorand shaft, and a passageway enabling exhaust of combustion productsafter expansion thereof.

7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures EXHAUST PATENTED 3,726,259

sum 2 OF 4 Paul 0. Games INVENTOR.

PATEMLCAPRWIEYE 3126,2529

SHEET 3 OF 4 Paul D. Graves IN VENTOR.

PATENTEU [W73 3, 72 6,259

sum 4 BF 4 Fig.6 Fig.7

MIXTURE Fig.8

Paul 0. Graves 1X1 'liNTOK ROTARY INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE BACKGROUNDTHE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention generallyrelates to an internal combustion engine of the rotary type and moreparticularly an engine having a compressor assembly and a power assemblyprovided in separate compartments with a single shaft extendingtherethrough.

2. Description of the Prior Art Rotary internal combustion engines areknown in which a rotor is disposed within a casing with'the rotor havinga plurality of vanes mounted thereon for sealing engagement with theinterior ofthecasing. The rotor and easing have beenprovided withaneccentric association to provide for an expandingand contractingchamber in which a combustible mixture may be admitted, ignited. andexpanded to produce rotational torque on an output shaft.

While such devices areknown' and have been employed, there has-been acontinuingproblem'of effectively sealing the vanes with respect to thecasing .while at. the same time maintaining frictional drag orresistance at a low level andretaining wearat anacceptable level.Another problem which has been existent is the inefficient breathing and'scavagening. of the engine especially duringv high rotational speedwhich reduces the time in which.a'combustiblem-ixture can be ad-- mittedinto the engine and. thecombustionproducts exhausted therefrom.

SUMMARY OFYTHE INVENTION An object of thepresent invention is to providearotary internal combustionengine havinga casing and eccentric rotorassembly inwhich" the rotor is provided with a plurality of radiallymovablevanes together with means for restraining the vanes with respectto the casing to maintain the. vanes in proper orientation therewith andrestrain the-.vanesfrom radial outward movement in response tocentrifugal forces imparted thereto during rotation of the rotor therebymaintaining the friction. and wear ofthe-vanes at a minimum level.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a rotaryinternal combustion engine in accordance withthe preceding. objectwhichis provided with a compressor assemblyfor receiving and. compressing acombustible mixture and a transfer passageway being opened by the rotorvanes passing;the passageway for communicating the compressorchamber-with the power portionof the engine to provide a compressedcombustible mixture v to the engine for efficient provide a rotaryinternalcombustion engine which is simple in construction, easytooperate andmaintain,

dependable and long lasting, and relatively trouble free and efficientin operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspectiveview of therotary internal combustion engine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the engine illustrating thecompressor portion and power portion thereof and the association of theshaft, rotors and casing.

FIG. 3 is a transverse, sectional view taken substantially upon a planepassing along section line 3-3 of FIG. 2 illustrating the rotor, vaneand vane restraining mechanism.

FIG; 4 is a transverse, sectional view taken substantially upon a planepassing along section line 44 of FIG. 2 illustrating further structuraldetails of the rotor and vanes including the seals associated therewith.

FIG. 5 is a transverse, sectional view taken substantiallyupon-a planepassing along section line 5-5 of FIG. 2 illustrating the specificstructure of the partition and the passageways formed therein.

FIG. 6 is a fragmental sectional view taken axially of one of the rotorsillustrating the structure of the vanes and their association with thecasing and vane restraining mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a fragmental elevational view illustrating the rotor and vanestructure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating the intake of the combustiblemixture, the compression thereof, the transfer to the firing chamber andexhaust of the combustion products.

FIG. 9 is an exploded group perspective view of the components of one ofthe vanes, a portion of the rotor and the seals provided therefor.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a portion of the rotor and two adjacentvanes illustrating the structure thereof and the relationship of theseals thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more specificallyto FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings,the rotary internal combustion engineof the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral 12and in overall configuration and appearance, the engine is generallycylindrical in configuration and provided with eccentric shaft 14, endplates 16 and 18 of circular configuration and a centrally disposeddivider plate or partition 20 spaced from the end plates 16 and 18 andgenerally centrally located with respect thereto. Interposed between theend plate 16 and the partition 20 is a cylindrical housing 22 andinterposed between the end plate 18 and the partition 20'is acylindrical housing 24 with the housing 22, end plate 16 and partition20 defining a compression portion of the engine while the end plate 18,partition 20 and cylindrical housing 24 define the ignition or powerportion of the invention. The compression portion or compressor isgenerally designated by numeral 26 in FIG. 2 while the ignition portionor power producing power is generally designated by the numeral 28 inFIG. 2. The end plates 16 and 18, the partition 20 and the cylindricalhousings 22 and 24 are rigidly secured together by a plurality oflongitudinally extending through bolts 30 which extend through holes orpassageways in the end plates 16 and 18 and the partition 20 thusclamping these components rigidly together but enabling disassemblythereof when desired.

Disposed within the compressor 26 interiorly of the casing 22 is acylindrical rotor 32 having a passageway disposed centrally therein at34 which receives the shaft 14 with the passageway 34 having a groove 36therein for registry with a corresponding groove 38 in the shaft 14 forreceiving a longitudinal key 40 by which the rotor and shaft are rigidlyinterconnected but detachably interconnected (see FIGS. 2-4).

The power or ignition portion of the engine generally designated by thenumeral 28 is provided with a similar rotor 42 mounted rigidly on theshaft 14 in the same manner (see FIG. 2).

Each of the end plates 16 and 18 as well as the partition 20 is providedwith an eccentrically oriented passage 44 therein receiving the shaft 14with each passageway 44 having a suitable bearing such as a bushing 46received therein which forms a rotatable bearing support for the shaft14. For lubrication purposes, the shaft 14 is provided with a centralpassageway 48 extending therethrough with the passageway 48communicating with a plurality of radial passageways 50 whichcommunicate with the exterior of the shaft in the center of the bushings46 respectively for supplying lubricating oil thereto with it beingpointed out that the passageway 48 and the shaft 14 may be communicatedwith a suitable oil pump or the like for supplying pressurizedlubricating oil. Inasmuch as the shaft 14 is rotatably supported in thebearings or bushings 46 which are disposed in the passageways 44 whichare eccentric in relation to the center of the plates 16 and 18 and thepartition 20, the shaft 14 is thus eccentric to the plates as well asthe casing or housings 22 and 24. Since the rotors 32 and 42 areconcentric with the shaft 14, that is, the shaft extends through thecenter of the rotors 32 and 43, the rotors 32 and 42 are eccentricallylocated in relation to the cylindrical chamber defined by thecylindrical casings 22 and 24 as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4.

For purposes of strength and rigidity, the end plates 16 and 18 are eachprovided with a thickened boss 52 adjacent the center thereof and thepassageway 44 extends eccentrically therethrough, The boss 52 extendsboth to the inside surface and the outside surface of the end plates andthe partition 20 is provided with a similar boss 54 thereon with theexternal surfaces of the bosses 52 and 54 respectively defining abearing surface for an annular ring 56 which has an annular flange 58 onthe external surface thereof with the annular flange having a pluralityof arcuate slots 60 therein. The annular ring 56 and flange 58 aredisposed in annular recesses 62 disposed in each side wall of each ofthe rotors 32 and 42, respectively, and since the bearing surfaces onthe bosses 52 and 54 are concentric with respect to the casings 22 and24, the rotors 32 and 42 will move in an eccentric path with respect tothe annular ring and the flange 58 thereon.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the rotors 32 and 42 is provided witha plurality of radial slots 64 formed therein which receive radial vaneassemblies generally designated by the numeral 66 which form a sealbetween the rotors 32 and 42, respectively, and the internal surfacesdefined by the casings 22 and 24 and the end plates and partition plate,respectively. Inasmuch as the structure of the vane assemblies 66 andtheir relationship to the rotor and casing are the same in both thecompressor and power portion of the engine, one vane assembly will bedescribed in detail and it will be understood that all of the vaneassemblies are related to the rotor and other structures in the samemanner.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, each vane assembly 66 includes a pair ofidentical overlapping plates 68 and 70 each of which has a thickenedlower edge portion 72 extending less than one-half of the longitudinallength thereof and being coextensive with one end edge thereof.Communicating with the lower edge of each of the thickened portions 72is a notch 74 which straddles and receives the slotted flange 58therein. The thickened portion 72 is provided with a passageway 76extending longitudinally therethrough with the passageway 76 in theplates 68 and 70 receiving a pin or rod 78 therethrough with the rod 78also extending through one of the slots 60 in the flange 58 thusanchoring the vane assembly to the flange 58 for relative pivotingmovement and relative sliding movement with the slot 60 receiving thepins 78 controlling radial outward movement of the vane assembly 66. Acoil compression spring 80 is mounted on the rod or pin 78 between theconfronting surfaces of the thickened portion 72 of the plates 68 and 70thus biasing them longitudinally apart when they are disposed within theslot 64 and the rotor 32.

The end of each of plates 68 and 70 opposite from the thickened portionis provided with a plurality of spaced slots or notches 82 which areinterdigitatingly received on spaced projecting ribs 84 on the facingsurface of the opposite plate. Thus, in FIG. 9, the slots 82 on theplate 88 are slidingly engaged with the ribs 84 on the confrontingsurface of the plate 80 and correspondingly, the slots 82 on the plate70 are engaged with corresponding ribs on the surface of the plate 68(not shown in FIG. 9). The combined thickness of the plates 68 and 70 issubstantially the same as the thickness of the thickened portion 72along the lower edge of the plates and substantially fills the width ofthe slots 64. The outermost edge of each plate 68 and 70 is providedwith a longitudinal recess 86 which defines a longitudinal groove whenassembled for the reception of a substantially T-shaped member 88 whichhas the outer surface thereof engaged with the interior of the casing 22or 24 for providing a seal with respect thereto.

Between each of the vane assemblies, the rotor is provided with anarcuate groove 90 and spaced inwardly from the periphery of the rotor,each radial slot is provided with a groove 92 communicating therewith(see FIGS. 9 and 10). The grooves 90 and 92 interconnect and receive apair of L-shaped members 94 therein with the straight elongated portionof the L- shaped member 94 being received in the groove 92 and thearcuate portion 96 of the L-shaped member 94 being received in thearcuate groove 90. Disposed between the inner surface of each groove 92and the L- shaped member 94 is a bowed leaf spring 98 and disposedbetween the inner surface of the groove 90 and the arcuate portion 96 ofthe L-shaped member 94 is a shorter bowed spring 100 which serves toexpand the L-shaped member so that the outer surface of the straightelongated portion thereof will engage the wall of the vane assemblywhile the outer surface of the arcuate portion 96 of the L-shapedassembly 94 will sealingly engage the inner surface of the end plate orpartition thus forming a peripheral seal for the rotor and vaneassemblies.

To prevent radial leak-through between the juncture between the freeedge of an arcuate portion 96 of the L-shaped member and the free end ofthe straight portion thereof, L-shaped members 102 are provided whichare constructed of relatively thin material such as spring metal or thelike and which include a straight portion which overlies the straightportion of one of the Lshaped members 94 and an arcuate end portion 104which overlies the outer surface of the arcuate portion on the otherL-shaped member 94 thus bridging the juncture between the two L-shapedmembers and at the same time providing a filler between the uppersurface of the L-shaped members 94 and the corresponding upper surfacesof the grooves 92 and 90.

Thus, with the construction of the vane assemblies as described, eachvane assembly is radially movable in relation to the slot 64 with theplates 68 and 70 being sealed along their outer longitudinal edge by theT- shaped member 88 and being sealed on their opposite side surfaces bythe L-shaped members 94 with the portion of the rotor between adjacentvane assemblies being sealed by the arcuate portions 96 of the L-shapedmembers 94. The slots 60 in the annular flange 58 control therelationship of the vanes to the casing and maintains them concentrictherewith inasmuch as the ring 56 is retained in concentric relationthereto by engagement with the bosses or shoulders 52 and 54. The spring88 on the rod 78 and received in sockets formed in the passageways whichare designated by the numeral 77 serve to retain the plates 68 and 70 inexpanded position so that they will engage the interior surfaces of theend plate and partition, respectively.

The combustible mixture for the engine is supplied by a suitablecarburetor or other combustible charge forming device and iscommunicated with the compressor portion 26 of the engine through thepartition and a suitable adapter fitting 106 attached to a radialpassageway 108 in the partition 20. The passageway 108 is provided withan enlargement 110 at the inner end thereof which is communicatedlaterally with the interior of the partition 20 which is exposed to theinterior of the casing 22. The surface of the partition 20 which facesthe interior of the casing 22 is provided with an elongated arcuategroove or recess 112 which tapers from its point of communication withthe enlargement in a circumferential manner thus providbetween theadjacent vanes, the edges of the vanes pass the terminal edge of theslot or groove 112 and then, the rotor moves toward the casing toprovide a reduction in the volumn of the space trapped between adjacentvanes thus compressing the combustible mixture until the reduced volumncommunicates with a passageway 114 extending through the partition 20.The side of the passageway 114 communicating with the compressor 26 isprovided with a tapered groove 116 so that the space between adjacentvanes will be communicated with the passageway 114 over a predeterminedarc of movement. Thus, the combustible mixture enters through thepassageway 108 and is compressed and is discharged from the compressorthrough the passageway 114.

The transverse passageway 114 communicates the compressor 26 with theignition or power portion 28 and communicates with the space betweenadjacent vanes as the rotor is moving away from the casing to expand thevolume therein so that the combustible mixture will be disposed betweenadjacent vanes and as it moves circumferentially, it passes a recess 118having a radial passageway 120 associated therewith for receiving aspark plug or other igniting device for igniting the combustible chargebetween adjacent vanes. So that as the charge is ignited, it will expandthus causing rotation of the rotor so that it moves away from the casingthus providing rotational torque to the shaft 14. After ignition andexpansion, the ignited and burned gases are discharged through a recess122 in the partition 20 and a radial passageway 124 having an adapter126 or the like communicated with an exhaust pipe, muffler or thesuitable mechanism for discharging the combustion products. Thus, thecombustible mixture is discharged from the compressor portion 26 throughthe partition 20 into the ignition and power portion 28, conveyedperipherally and ignited at the recess 118 and expanded until they reachpassageway or recess 122 where they are exhausted and the space betweenadjacent vanes then proceeds to pick-up another charge at passageway114.

The carburetor or other combustible charge forming device has not beenillustrated nor has the exhaust manifold or the like other than in aschematic manner since the specific structure thereof forms noparticular part of this invention. Also, the igniting device may be inthe form of a spark plug or any other suitable device for igniting acombustible mixture. Also, the particular details of the lubricationpump and related structure is not illustrated since the lubrication pumpmay be associated with a radial passageway 51 formed in the partition 20and if desired or necessary under operating conditions, a circulatingsystem may be provided where the oil may be pumped into the centerhearing which may be provided with an internal groove, and thenoutwardly to the end bearings and returned to a suitable reservoir andfilter assembly. All of the accessories form no particular part of theinvention with it also being pointed out that the particular connectionbetween the end plates and partition with respect to the cylindricalcasings may be varied to provide an adequate seal for the pressuresencountered either by metal-to-metal contact or by inserting some typeof seal if necessary. Also, the shaft 14 may be provided with pulleys,gears and the like to enable the output power to be usefully employedand connected with whatever equipment desired. Also, a suitable startingmotor or manually actuated starting device may be connected to the shaft14 for initiating rotation of the shaft 14 to start the engine. Thespecific details of the power connection or the starter connection formno particular part of the invention.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a generallycylindrical casing divided into compression and combustion compartmentsby a partition disposed intermediate the ends thereof, a shaft extendingthrough the casing and being journalled in the ends thereof and in thepartition, said shaft being disposed eccentrically of the center of thecasing, a pair of rotors fixed to said shaft and disposed in the twocompartments in the casing, each of said rotors including radiallydisposed and movable vanes for continuous engagement with the interiorof the casing during rotation of the rotors, said rotors beingconcentrically mounted on said shaft and eccentrically oriented inrelation to the casing for providing expansible and contractiblechambers between adjacent vanes during rotation of the rotors, and meansconnected to each of the vanes for restraining the vanes radiallyinwardly to prevent the vanes from being forced radially outwardlyagainst the interior of the casing during rotation of the rotors, saidcasing including means admitting a compressible and combustible mixtureinto the compression compartment for compression by rotation of therotor therein, means communicating the two compartments of the casingfor transferring the combustible mixture from the compressioncompartment to the combustion compartment for ignition and expansionduring rotation of the rotor for imparting torque to the shaft, andmeans communicating with the atmosphere for discharging combustionproducts from the casing, said means admitting the combustible mixtureto the interior of the casing including a passageway extending radiallyof the partition and communicating to one surface thereof in acircumferentially elongated groove for admitting a combustible mixtureinto the space between adjacent vanes during a predetermined angularmovement of the rotor, said means communicating the compressioncompartment with the combustion compartment including a passagewayextending through the partition and communicating with both sidesthereof, said partition also including means mounted thereon andcommunicating with the combustion compartment for igniting thecombustible mixture, said means exhausting combustion products includinga passageway in the partition communicating with the combustioncompartment and extending radially outwardly of the partition, saidmeans restraining the vanes including an annular ring journalled oncircular bosses concentric with the center at each end of eachcompartment for engaging the inner ends of the vanes to restrain themfrom radial outward movement, each vane being slidably received in aradial slot in the rotor and each vane including a pair of overlappingplates, spring means operatively associated with said plates for biasingthem longitudinally outwardly of the rotor, and spring bias seal meansengaging the opposite surfaces of the vanes adjacent the radial outeredges thereof for forming a seal for the expansible and contractiblechambers, said rotor including a peripheral end seal in alignment withthe vane seal for engaging the ends of the casing and the partitionrespectively for forming a seal for the radial inner portion of theexpansible and contractible chambers.

2. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a generallycylindrical casing divided into compression and combustion compartmentsby a partition disposed intermediate the ends thereof, a shaft extendingthrough the casing and being journalled in the ends thereof and in thepartition, said shaft being disposed eccentrically of the center of thecasing, a pair of rotors fixed to said shaft and disposed in the twocompartments in the casing, each of said rotors including radiallydisposed and movable vanes for continuous engagement with the interiorof the casing during rotation of the motors, said rotors beingconcentrically mounted on said shaft and eccentrically oriented inrelation to the casing for providing expansible and contractiblechambers between adjacent vanes during rotation of the rotors, and meansconnected to each of the vanes for restraining the vanes radiallyinwardly to prevent the vanes from being forced radially outwardlyagainst the interior of the casing during rotation of the rotors, saidcasing including means admitting a compressible and combustible mixtureinto the compression compartment for compression by rotation of therotor therein, means communicating the two compartments of the casingfor transferring the combustible mixture from the compressioncompartment to the combustion compartment for ignition and expansionduring rotation of the rotor for imparting torque to the shaft, andmeans communicating with the atmosphere for discharging combustionproducts from the casing, said means admitting the combustible mixtureto the interior of the casing including a passageway extending radiallyof the partition and communicating to one surface thereof in acircumferentially elongated groove for admitting a combustible mixtureinto the space between adjacent vanes during a predetermined angularmovement of the rotor, said means communicating the compressioncompartment with the combustion compartment including a passagewayextending through the partition and communicating with both sidesthereof, said partition also including means mounted thereon andcommunicating with the combustion compartment for igniting thecombustible mixture, said means exhausting combustion products includinga passageway in the partition communicating with the combustioncompartment and extending radially outwardly of the partition, saidmeans restraining the vanes including an annular ring journalled oncircular bosses concentric with the center at each end of eachcompartment for engaging the inner ends of the vanes to restrain themfrom radial outward movement, said casing including end plates separatetherefrom, said partition being in the form of a plate separating thecasing into the two compartments, and fastening means extending throughthe end plates and partition for retaining the components in assembledcondition, said end plates and partition having cylindrical bossesdefining bearing surfaces for the annular rings which restrain the vanesthereby maintaining the vanes under control at all times.

3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said vanes isprovided with a longitudinal slot alongthe outer edge thereof, and aT-shaped sealing member extending longitudinally throughout the lengthof the vane and received in the slot and including an outer edge insealing engagement with the inner surface of the casing.

4. A substantially cylindrical casing defined by a peripheral wall andend plates, a partition connected with the peripheral wall and dividingthe casing into a compression compartment and a combustion compartment,a shaft journalled eccentrically in said casing, a pair of rotors fixedto said shaft with the rotors being disposed in the two compartments,each of the rotors including radially disposed and movable vanes forcooperation with the interior of each of the compartments to sealinglyengage the interior surface of the compartments during rotation of therotors, said rotors being concentric on the shaft and eccentric inrelation to the compartment in which it is disposed for providingexpansible and contractible chambers between adjacent vanes duringrotation of the rotors, said partition including means admitting acombustible and compressible mixture into the compression compartmentfor compression by rotation of the rotor therein, said partitionincluding means communicating the two compartments radially inwardly ofthe periphery of the partition for transferring the compressedcombustible mixture from the compression compartment to the combustioncompartment, said partition including mounting .means for igniting thecompressed combustible mixture, said partition including meanscommunicating with the combustion compartment for exhausting combustionproducts, and means interconnecting-the casing and partition with therespective end edges of the vanes for restraining the vanes from radialmovement in response to rotation of the rotors to prevent the vanes frommoving radially outwardly due to centrifugal force, each vane includinga pair of overlapping plates, resilient means engaged with said platesfor biasing them longitudinally outwardly of the rotor, seal meansbetween the rotor and opposite surfaces of the vanes, and peripheral endseal means on the rotor between the vanes and in alignment with the vaneseal thereby forming a seal for the expansible and contractible chambersdefined by the casing, the vane and the ends of the rotor.

5. The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said meansinterconnecting the casing and partition with the respective end edgesof the vanes including cylindrical bosses on the interior surface ofeach end plate and on both surfaces of the partition, an annular ringjournalled on each of the bosses with the bosses and ring beingconcentric with the center of the casing, each of the overlapping platesof each vane being connected with an annular ring, each annular ringincluding a peripheral slot receiving a pivot pin carried by each of theplates forming each vane to enable variation in the angular andcircumferential relationship between the rings and vanes but restrainingthe vanes against outward radial movement.

6. The structure as defined in claim 5 wherein the overlapping platesinclude slidably interengaging notches and ribs to retain theoverlapping plates in aligned registry with each other while permittingrelative longitudinal movement of the plates.

7. The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein the seal means betweenthe rotor and opposite surfaces of the vanes and the peripheral end sealmeans on the rotor are defined by a one-piece substantially L-shapedmember received in grooves formed in the end surfaces of the rotor andthe facing surfaces of a longitudinal slot in the rotor which receivesthe vanes and bowed leaf springs interposed between the L-shaped memberand the rotor for biasing the L-shaped member against the vanes andlongitudinally outwardly against the end walls of the compartment.

1. A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a generallycylindrical casing divided into compression and combustion compartmentsby a partition disposed intermediate the ends thereof, a shaft extendingthrough the casing and being journalled in the ends thereof and in thepartition, said shaft being disposed eccentrically of the center of thecasing, a pair of rotors fixed to said shaft and disposed in the twocompartments in the casing, each of said rotors including radiallydisposed and movable vanes for continuous engagement with the interiorof the casing during rotation of the rotors, said rotors beingconcentrically mounted on said shaft and eccentrically oriented inrelation to the casing for providing expansible and contractiblechambers between adjacent vanes during rotation of the rotors, and meansconnected to each of the vanes for restraining the vanes radiallyinwardly to prevent the vanes from being forced radially outwardlyagainst the interior of the casing during rotation of the rotors, saidcasing including means admitting a compressible and combustible mixtureinto the compression compartment for compression by rotation of therotor therein, means communicating the two compartments of the casingfor transferring the combustible mixture from the compressioncompartment to the combustion compartment for ignition and expansionduring rotation of the rotor for imparting torque to the shaft, andmeans communicating with the atmosphere for discharging combustionproducts from the casing, said means admitting the combustiblE mixtureto the interior of the casing including a passageway extending radiallyof the partition and communicating to one surface thereof in acircumferentially elongated groove for admitting a combustible mixtureinto the space between adjacent vanes during a predetermined angularmovement of the rotor, said means communicating the compressioncompartment with the combustion compartment including a passagewayextending through the partition and communicating with both sidesthereof, said partition also including means mounted thereon andcommunicating with the combustion compartment for igniting thecombustible mixture, said means exhausting combustion products includinga passageway in the partition communicating with the combustioncompartment and extending radially outwardly of the partition, saidmeans restraining the vanes including an annular ring journalled oncircular bosses concentric with the center at each end of eachcompartment for engaging the inner ends of the vanes to restrain themfrom radial outward movement, each vane being slidably received in aradial slot in the rotor and each vane including a pair of overlappingplates, spring means operatively associated with said plates for biasingthem longitudinally outwardly of the rotor, and spring bias seal meansengaging the opposite surfaces of the vanes adjacent the radial outeredges thereof for forming a seal for the expansible and contractiblechambers, said rotor including a peripheral end seal in alignment withthe vane seal for engaging the ends of the casing and the partitionrespectively for forming a seal for the radial inner portion of theexpansible and contractible chambers.
 2. A rotary internal combustionengine comprising a generally cylindrical casing divided intocompression and combustion compartments by a partition disposedintermediate the ends thereof, a shaft extending through the casing andbeing journalled in the ends thereof and in the partition, said shaftbeing disposed eccentrically of the center of the casing, a pair ofrotors fixed to said shaft and disposed in the two compartments in thecasing, each of said rotors including radially disposed and movablevanes for continuous engagement with the interior of the casing duringrotation of the motors, said rotors being concentrically mounted on saidshaft and eccentrically oriented in relation to the casing for providingexpansible and contractible chambers between adjacent vanes duringrotation of the rotors, and means connected to each of the vanes forrestraining the vanes radially inwardly to prevent the vanes from beingforced radially outwardly against the interior of the casing duringrotation of the rotors, said casing including means admitting acompressible and combustible mixture into the compression compartmentfor compression by rotation of the rotor therein, means communicatingthe two compartments of the casing for transferring the combustiblemixture from the compression compartment to the combustion compartmentfor ignition and expansion during rotation of the rotor for impartingtorque to the shaft, and means communicating with the atmosphere fordischarging combustion products from the casing, said means admittingthe combustible mixture to the interior of the casing including apassageway extending radially of the partition and communicating to onesurface thereof in a circumferentially elongated groove for admitting acombustible mixture into the space between adjacent vanes during apredetermined angular movement of the rotor, said means communicatingthe compression compartment with the combustion compartment including apassageway extending through the partition and communicating with bothsides thereof, said partition also including means mounted thereon andcommunicating with the combustion compartment for igniting thecombustible mixture, said means exhausting combustion products includinga passageway in the partition communicating with the combustioncompartment and extending radially outwardly of the partItion, saidmeans restraining the vanes including an annular ring journalled oncircular bosses concentric with the center at each end of eachcompartment for engaging the inner ends of the vanes to restrain themfrom radial outward movement, said casing including end plates separatetherefrom, said partition being in the form of a plate separating thecasing into the two compartments, and fastening means extending throughthe end plates and partition for retaining the components in assembledcondition, said end plates and partition having cylindrical bossesdefining bearing surfaces for the annular rings which restrain the vanesthereby maintaining the vanes under control at all times.
 3. Thestructure as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said vanes is providedwith a longitudinal slot along the outer edge thereof, and a T-shapedsealing member extending longitudinally throughout the length of thevane and received in the slot and including an outer edge in sealingengagement with the inner surface of the casing.
 4. A substantiallycylindrical casing defined by a peripheral wall and end plates, apartition connected with the peripheral wall and dividing the casinginto a compression compartment and a combustion compartment, a shaftjournalled eccentrically in said casing, a pair of rotors fixed to saidshaft with the rotors being disposed in the two compartments, each ofthe rotors including radially disposed and movable vanes for cooperationwith the interior of each of the compartments to sealingly engage theinterior surface of the compartments during rotation of the rotors, saidrotors being concentric on the shaft and eccentric in relation to thecompartment in which it is disposed for providing expansible andcontractible chambers between adjacent vanes during rotation of therotors, said partition including means admitting a combustible andcompressible mixture into the compression compartment for compression byrotation of the rotor therein, said partition including meanscommunicating the two compartments radially inwardly of the periphery ofthe partition for transferring the compressed combustible mixture fromthe compression compartment to the combustion compartment, saidpartition including mounting means for igniting the compressedcombustible mixture, said partition including means communicating withthe combustion compartment for exhausting combustion products, and meansinterconnecting the casing and partition with the respective end edgesof the vanes for restraining the vanes from radial movement in responseto rotation of the rotors to prevent the vanes from moving radiallyoutwardly due to centrifugal force, each vane including a pair ofoverlapping plates, resilient means engaged with said plates for biasingthem longitudinally outwardly of the rotor, seal means between the rotorand opposite surfaces of the vanes, and peripheral end seal means on therotor between the vanes and in alignment with the vane seal therebyforming a seal for the expansible and contractible chambers defined bythe casing, the vane and the ends of the rotor.
 5. The structure asdefined in claim 4 wherein said means interconnecting the casing andpartition with the respective end edges of the vanes includingcylindrical bosses on the interior surface of each end plate and on bothsurfaces of the partition, an annular ring journalled on each of thebosses with the bosses and ring being concentric with the center of thecasing, each of the overlapping plates of each vane being connected withan annular ring, each annular ring including a peripheral slot receivinga pivot pin carried by each of the plates forming each vane to enablevariation in the angular and circumferential relationship between therings and vanes but restraining the vanes against outward radialmovement.
 6. The structure as defined in claim 5 wherein the overlappingplates include slidably interengaging notches and ribs to retain theoverlapping plates in aligned registry with each other while permittIngrelative longitudinal movement of the plates.
 7. The structure asdefined in claim 6 wherein the seal means between the rotor and oppositesurfaces of the vanes and the peripheral end seal means on the rotor aredefined by a one-piece substantially L-shaped member received in groovesformed in the end surfaces of the rotor and the facing surfaces of alongitudinal slot in the rotor which receives the vanes and bowed leafsprings interposed between the L-shaped member and the rotor for biasingthe L-shaped member against the vanes and longitudinally outwardlyagainst the end walls of the compartment.